HIPCC

HASTINGS INTERNATIONAL PIANO CONCERTO COMPETITION

A success story in the recent past has been the growth of the Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition. Originally a class in the instrumental section, the Competition is now a world class event for aspiring young concert pianists aged 18-30. Since 2012 the Competition has grown under the Artistic Directorship of Frank Wibaut to become a successful event widely recognised in international music circles and 2019 will see the 15th Competition in its current form.

The Competition is held annually in Hastings and offers the people of the town and surrounding area a unique opportunity to hear music of the highest quality. In 2018 over 160 pianists from 34 different countries auditioned and 45 were chosen, competing in Hastings in 4 rounds over 10 days in front of a panel of distinguished international judges. The 2019 Competition has already opened for entries and we are expecting even more contestants from around the world as auditions will be held in China, Japan, USA and Europe as well as in the UK. The 6 finalists will each play a concerto with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) which is acknowledged to be one of the best orchestras in the world, and the winner will receive a £15,000 cash prize and professional engagements in the UK and abroad, including two concerts with the RPO.

There is enormous benefit to the contestants who play in Hastings and a boost to their professional career. They have the opportunity to receive feedback from some of the best performers and teachers in the world, and if they are prize winners there are financial rewards and professional engagements. Previous winners have gone on to do well in other prestigious international competitions such as the Van Cliburn in the USA and the Leeds in England. Overall this is a world class event taking place on a local stage.